Has Stoner already committed to Honda?
He started his MotoGP career on the Japanese tackle, but now he's tipped to be returning as a factory riderHas Casey Stoner already committed to a dramatic defection from Ducati to Honda in MotoGP? And if the Aussie has decided to switch loyalties, could Valentino Rossi be his replacement at Ducati?
Rumours have been circulating since after the Jerez round of this year's championship - where Stoner finished fifth - that he had signed a contract with Honda for 2011 and beyond, but now those noises appear to be intensifying - that's if German publication Speedweek is to be believed.
The publication is reporting that a deal has now been done, with Stoner set to join his former mentor at Ducati, Livio Suppo, who is now the marketing manager for Honda Racing Corporation.
Speedweek is reporting that Stoner has been offered five million euros ($A7.13m) a year to make the switch to back to Honda, where he began his MotoGP career in 2006 on an LCR-backed privateer machine (pictured). He then signed with Ducati for 2007, and won the MotoGP title in sublime fashion.
If Stoner decides to end his Ducati collaboration after four years, the next question is obvious: will Rossi be his replacement at the Italian marque, which would be a marketer's dream (although not quite as much as Rossi/Ferrari relationship…) Watch this space…
Stoner is now in England for this weekend's British Grand Prix at Silverstone, a circuit where he raced at as a junior in the early noughties.
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